Maria Anderson Roberto | |
---|---|
Born | 1880
Guam |
Died | Culion |
Occupation | Nurse |
Employer |
Maria Anderson Roberto (born 1880) was a chaperone for the Native Nurses program in Guam from 1914 to 1924 during the US Naval occupation of the island.
Roberto was born in 1880 on Guam. [1]
In 1914, Roberto was hired by the US navy as a chaperone for the Native Nurses program. [1] Roberto's employment as a nurse chaperone was a concession by the US Navy, who realized they needed a culturally-appropriate woman to care for the CHamoru nursing students. [2] In CHamoru culture, unmarried women were always accompanied by a chaperone, who was typically an older woman or close male relative. [2] Her presence allowed these women to participate in the program without breaking cultural traditions. [2] She protected and nurtured the students as they trained at the naval hospital, helping them pass exams and serving as a "surrogate mother." [2] Additionally, as a respected CHamoru woman, Roberto bridged the general distrust for the naval administration and Western healthcare practices. She was an important intermediary figure, translating between Chamorro and English. [3] In Della Knight's 1922 tribute, which was published in the American Journal of Nursing, she stated that Roberto held "together the fabric of the work built up by the Navy nurses." [3] She was well-respected by parents, students, and navy hospital staff. [2]
In 1924, Roberto contracted Hansen's Disease. [1] She was deported to Culion, where the US Navy had established a leper colony. [4] Roberto's deportation caused mass community outrage and grief throughout the island. [4]
Her fate after deportation is unknown. [1] It is assumed she died on the island. [1]
Maria Anderson Roberto | |
---|---|
Born | 1880
Guam |
Died | Culion |
Occupation | Nurse |
Employer |
Maria Anderson Roberto (born 1880) was a chaperone for the Native Nurses program in Guam from 1914 to 1924 during the US Naval occupation of the island.
Roberto was born in 1880 on Guam. [1]
In 1914, Roberto was hired by the US navy as a chaperone for the Native Nurses program. [1] Roberto's employment as a nurse chaperone was a concession by the US Navy, who realized they needed a culturally-appropriate woman to care for the CHamoru nursing students. [2] In CHamoru culture, unmarried women were always accompanied by a chaperone, who was typically an older woman or close male relative. [2] Her presence allowed these women to participate in the program without breaking cultural traditions. [2] She protected and nurtured the students as they trained at the naval hospital, helping them pass exams and serving as a "surrogate mother." [2] Additionally, as a respected CHamoru woman, Roberto bridged the general distrust for the naval administration and Western healthcare practices. She was an important intermediary figure, translating between Chamorro and English. [3] In Della Knight's 1922 tribute, which was published in the American Journal of Nursing, she stated that Roberto held "together the fabric of the work built up by the Navy nurses." [3] She was well-respected by parents, students, and navy hospital staff. [2]
In 1924, Roberto contracted Hansen's Disease. [1] She was deported to Culion, where the US Navy had established a leper colony. [4] Roberto's deportation caused mass community outrage and grief throughout the island. [4]
Her fate after deportation is unknown. [1] It is assumed she died on the island. [1]